All the latest news from the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Moutain Rescue Team http://www.twsmrt.org.uk http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c650 Team called late evening to search for missing lady with dementia. Missing woman turned up at Durham Hospital during the planning stages. http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c650 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c649 Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team were involved today in the rescue of two walkers lost overnight on the Pennines in County Durham. The middle aged couple from Cumbria had set off to walk from Kirkland near Appleby yesterday with the intention of climbing the highest mountain in the Pennines, Cross Fell. On reaching the summit they became disorientated and lost their way because of the bad weather. They managed at some stage during the night to find a footpath that leads down Trout Beck towards Cow Green reservoir. This path is in the opposite direction from their start point. In the late evening they came across Moor House, a remote unoccupied building on the eastern slopes of Great Dun Fell where they sheltered until it got light. They were still unsure of the way to safety but finally managed to get a mobile phone signal and contacted Durham Police who contacted the Mountain Rescue Team around lunch time today (Sunday). http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/callouts.php#c649 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=91 TOP AWARD FOR NEW RESCUE TEAM SEARCH DOG Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team (TWSMRT) based in County Durham now have an award winning search dog and handler within the team. Tony High from Penshaw, a team member for 6 years with his 2 1/2 year old border collie Isla have successfully completed a two year training and assessment programme organised by The Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA). Not only were they successful in last weekends assessment but they won the Novice Shield which is awarded by SARDA England for outstanding performance by dog and handler throughout the assessment course. The achievement is even more outstanding as the shield has only been awarded 3 times in the last 10 years and never before to a dog and handler from the North East. Tony said " It has taken us 2 years of hard work to get to this level. One of the hardest things is learning to read the signs the dog gives you when out searching and learning to have 100% trust that your dog is right". Since starting training 2 years ago Tony and Isla have passed various assessments before spending 3 days in the Lake District on their final assessment. Tony said "We needed to search 5 large areas of the Lakeland Fells over 3 days, locate any casualties and be sure the area was clear when we had finished. Isla managed to locate all her casualties, I am very proud of her". The difference between mountain rescue search dogs and other search dogs is that mountain rescue dogs search for any human air scent where other dogs tend to track an individual's scent along the ground. In ideal conditions the dogs can pick up this scent up to 1/2km from the casualty. Steve Owers, Deputy Team Leader said "Tony like all mountain rescue personnel is a volunteer. Just passing the assessment is a great achievement but for Tony and Isla to be awarded the prestigious Novice Shield is some reward for the many hours of training they have put in. Some mountain rescue teams have no qualified search dogs, our team are fortunate that because of the dedication shown by all our handlers we now have 5. There vital skills will be used not only in County Durham but across all of the North of England." Photographs attached - Tony and Isla with Novice Shield http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=91 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=90 Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team who cover all of County Durham have been given a large donation by a group of local ladies. The Wolsingham Jolly Girls presented a cheque for £2700 to Adam Hearn Deputy Team Leader earlier this week. Anne Craven from the Jolly Girls said " We are a group of friends mainly from Wolsingham in Weardale who raise money each year for local good causes. We kept reading in the local press about the work of the rescue team not only in finding missing walkers but also searching for other missing people including the elderly and depressed and thought it would be a good cause to support. The money was raised over the past year by running coffee mornings, pub quizzes, book and cake stalls and a Christmas fayre." Adam Hearn from the Team said "A donation like this is fantastic and we would like to thank the Jolly Girls for all their efforts over the past 12 months. It currently cost us around £25,000 per year to run the team. We are all volunteers and we need to raise all our own running costs. This money will really help us to continue providing search and rescue throughout County Durham." PICTURE - The Jolly Girls present the cheque to Adam Hearn Steve Owers Press Officer 07876 132030 11/01/12 1415 hrs http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=90 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=89 Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team were involved today in the rescue of two walkers lost overnight on the Pennines in County Durham. The middle aged couple from Cumbria had set off to walk from Kirkland near Appleby yesterday with the intention of climbing the highest mountain in the Pennines, Cross Fell. On reaching the summit they became disorientated and lost their way because of the bad weather. They managed at some stage during the night to find a footpath that leads down Trout Beck towards Cow Green reservoir. This path is in the opposite direction from their start point. In the late evening they came across Moor House, a remote unoccupied building on the eastern slopes of Great Dun Fell where they sheltered until it got light. They were still unsure of the way to safety but finally managed to get a mobile phone signal and contacted Durham Police who contacted the Mountain Rescue Team around lunch time today (Sunday). Chris Roberts Team Leader of the Teesdale and Weardale Team said "because we knew the location of the couple it was a relatively simple task to send I vehicle to Moor House to pick them up. When I arrived they were cold and very tired but very relived to see us. They were transported to Garrigill to be checked over by the Ambulance Service. The weather even this morning was not good with driving rain and very limited visibility. The couple had done this walk many times and were well equipped but for some reason this time did not take a map and compass with them." TWSMRT would like to pass on the following tips to all walkers: Before you set out get a mountain weather forecast, there are a number available on the Internet Always let someone know your intended route and what time you will be due back Fully charge your mobile phone before you leave but remember phone coverage is limited in some mountainous areas Be properly equipped with waterproofs, hat, gloves, spare clothing and take plenty of food and drink Have a map and compass and know how to use them Have a bivvy bag or group shelter in your rucksack in case of emergencies Always carry a head torch and spare batteries just in case you are delayed and it turns dark Steve Owers Press Officer 07876 132030 08/01/12 1700 hrs http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=89 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=88 David Bartles-Smith former Team Leader of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team has been awarded a Chief Constables Certificate of Commendation by Durham Constabulary. The award was presented by Chief Constable John Stoddart “For outstanding contribution as a volunteer member and Team Leader of the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team and professionalism during numerous search and rescue operations within the Durham Constabulary area”. Current Team Leader Chris Roberts said "David has been a member of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team for 16 years and has been Team Leader for the last 7 until he handed over the position to myself in November last year. Possibly his biggest contribution has been to search management within County Durham. David has spent countless hours not only coordinating searches but also planning and reviewing incidents with Durham Police. Like all Team members this is done on an entirely voluntary basis. There are many people from all walks of life and from all areas of the County who are thankful for the skills and dedication shown by David, and the rest of the team, in searching for missing persons, not only in the upland areas but also the semi urban areas surrounding our towns and villages". Chief Superintendent John Bell, Head of Durham Constabulary Response Command said "David remains a totally committed professional whose contribution and expertise when acting as Team leader was very much appreciated and in my opinion the commendation is well deserved. In providing this level of support and over such a period, we should not overlook the personal sacrifices made by David over several years nor indeed the similar sacrifices made by other Search Team members for the benefit of others” David who lives in Lanchester Co. Durham, experience will not be lost to the Team as he remains an active Team member. Steve Owers Press Officer 07876132030 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=88 http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=87 MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM LEADER THANKS GENEROUS PUBLIC The team leader of a local mountain rescue team has praised the generosity of the public at a recent street collection. Chris Roberts leader of Teesdale and Weardale Search and Mountain Rescue Team said "we must say a big thank you to everyone in Durham City who gave money during our street collection on Saturday. It was one of our best ever, especially so in the current economic climate. Talking to people during the day many were suprised that we are an entirely voluntary organisation who depend on contributions however large or small from the public. Many also did not realise that 70% of our callouts are not for missing walkers but for missing children, dementia suffers and people who are depressed throughout the whole of County Durham. After such a great day in Durham we hope we can continue this success when we hold a street collection in Darlington this Saturday". Steve Owers Press Officer 07876132030 13/12/11 1730hrs http://www.twsmrt.org.uk/pressReleases/releases.php?id=87